Korea, Told by a Korean

Jongno Sinjin Market near Dongdaemun Station shows a very local side of Seoul. Jongno Sinjin Market Near Dongdaemun Station Near Dongdaemun Station, there is a traditional market area called Jongno Sinjin Market. Like many older Korean markets, it has small restaurants, street-style food stalls, bright signs, red plastic tables, and a very local atmosphere. For visitors who want to see a less polished side of Seoul, this kind of market can be interesting. It feels different from department stores, shopping malls, or famous tourist streets because people are eating, drinking, and talking in a more ordinary local setting. But not every Korean market food is easy to recommend to foreigners. Some dishes are very local, very strong in flavor, and difficult to enjoy if you are trying Korean food for the first time. Yachae gopchang is stir-fried pork intestines with vegetables, often served on a hot metal pan. Yachae Gopchang: A Strong...

Hanwoo often looks premium before it is even cooked. (1) Hanwoo Is Famous, but Not an Everyday Food For many people outside Korea, Korean beef may sound like something luxurious, famous, and easy to find in a country known for food culture. But for many Koreans, Hanwoo beef is not an everyday food. I have lived in Korea all my life, but I cannot say that I have often eaten Hanwoo as much as I wanted. Even now, when Samsung and SK hynix are global companies and Korean dramas, music, beauty, and food are known around the world, Hanwoo still feels like a food that many ordinary Koreans approach carefully. Depending on the cut and grade, a small portion can be close to 20,000 Korean won per 100 grams. That means Hanwoo is not just beef. In Korea, it is often a symbol of celebration, income level, family events, gifts, and sometimes social pressure. The marbling is one reason many Koreans associate Hanwoo with luxury. (2) The Beauty of Marbling and the Weight of Price ...

Wonhalmeoni Garlic Bossam Review: How to Eat Korean Bossam Like a Local A detailed English review of Wonhalmeoni Garlic Bossam, explaining Korean boiled pork slices, kimchi, garlic sauce, rice cake, leafy wraps, and the best way for foreigners to enjoy bossam. Opening the Takeout Box: Korean Boiled Pork Slices Sliced Korean boiled pork from Wonhalmeoni Garlic Bossam. When I opened the takeout box of Wonhalmeoni Garlic Bossam, the first thing that stood out was the sliced boiled pork. Bossam is one of Korea’s classic pork dishes, and unlike grilled pork belly or barbecue, it is usually made by boiling pork until it becomes tender and moist. In English, it can be described as Korean boiled pork slices, but the actual experience is more flavorful than that simple description. The pork is cut into thick, satisfying pieces, and each slice has a good balance of lean meat and soft fat. This balance is important because bossam should not feel dry. It should be t...